HC Deb 30 November 1937 vol 329 cc1852-3
5. Mr. Leonard

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the refusal of the Import Duties Advisory Committee to recommend a reduction in the duty on turkeys and seeing that in consequence a tax of 3d. per pound will be levied on the turkeys now being imported for the coming Christmas season, which will make them too dear for a large section of the working-class population, he will say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. Stanley

The duty was imposed on the recommendation of the Import Duties Advisory Committee, and in the absence of a recommendation by that Committee to the contrary, no action is contemplated.

Mr. Leonard

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that large numbers of working people indulge in turkeys at this time of the year, and does he think that the Government should take this method of collecting taxation at this period?

Mr. Turton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the census of turkeys last Sep- tember showed that there were more turkeys in this country than there have ever been before at the same time?